I’m very happy to present Sophistical. This is a great loose-fitting layering piece that’s mostly super-simple and quick to knit. The front and back are worked flat and seamed at the shoulders and sides. Drop sleeves are picked up and worked in the round until they’re exactly as long as you want. Simple 1×1 ribbing finishes the neckline.

However, there are a few slightly tricky parts that really add a lot of style: a tubular cast-on and bind-off start and finish your ribbing beautifully, three organic-looking welts on the front skew the hemline in an interesting way, a box pleat on the back adds a bit of swing, and short-row shaping provides a better fit at the shoulders.

The instructions include modifications for simplifying the pattern if you think you might not be up to the challenge (but don’t be afraid to give it a shot–what’s the worst that could happen? You can just unravel and try again . . .)

Well, this took a lot longer than I thought it would. Probably because I stopped to make a load of tiny sweaters and alpaca cowls for our pop-up sale last month. Anyway, it’s finally done and I think it turned out pretty well. I’m especially happy with the tubular bind off on the ribbed edging. Such a great technique–I highly recommend learning how to do it if you don’t already.

Right-side out, you get sleek slip-stitch ribs on a reverse-stockinette stitch background, with exposed seams. Inside-out, you have nice plain stockinette stitch with garter stitch bands at the hemline and sleeve cuffs, and wide-ribbed sleeves.

It’s made from gorgeous Americo Originals Brezo (a wool/silk/linen blend you will love). It also works beautifully in MadelineTosh Tosh Merino Light.

Need a last-minute gift for someone special? My friend Clarice made this Bad Math scarf for her boyfriend in just 2 days! She used 3 balls of Cascade Yarns Lana Grande on 12mm needles. Pretty nice work for someone who says she hasn’t knitted for a very long time.

I’m so excited to announce that a huge project I’ve been working on since the spring is now almost ready! In celebration of their tenth anniversary, Urban Yarns is releasing Perfect Ten, a 64-page book including 16 new knitting patterns by designers who have some sort of connection to the shop, along with drink pairings for each pattern (why not have fun while you’re knitting?) and interesting stories from Urban Yarns customers. You can pre-order your copy here. You should also come to the book launch at the shop on December 5th!

I have two brand new sweater patterns in the book, plus a new twist on an old favourite. The Yaletown hoodie (below, left) is a stylish and straightforward project in affordable Cascade Eco, and the Hacker pullover (right) is a fun project in gorgeous Harrisville WATERshed.

Did you know that yesterday, September 15th, was Make Your Own Hat Day? I didn’t. Well, not until just before bedtime, when it was kind of late to start making my own hat. So we’re a day late to the party, but why not start a new hat today? Here are four hat patterns you might like:

Sweet Jane is a simple pullover with a ton of style. It gets its modern styling from colour blocking, side slits and a step hem. Wear it with your favourite t-shirt and jeans for a casual weekend look or dress it up for work over an oxford and pencil skirt. Made from a warm, heathery wool/hemp blend that is lovely to knit, this sweater is a quick and satisfying project.
The pattern is available as a 4-page PDF .

My latest design, Bayswater, is out in the Spring issue of Interweave Knits. It’s a swingy asymmetrical top is a simple, stylish sleeveless top worked mostly in the round in a sport-weight linen.

The allover slip-stitch rib gives the fabric flattering vertical lines but it does not cling like traditional ribbing. The sloping hemline is created by working different numbers of mitred decreases at each side. It would look fantastic over leggings or a pencil skirt.

This top is meant to be worn with negative ease at the bustline. The A-line shape means that it will skim your body from the bust down.

Bayswater beach is in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood. It’s rocky and a bit wild. My mother played there all the time when she was growing up.